The Body Beautiful Surgeon

Boston breast augmentation expert Richard A. Moss M.D. is occasionally asked by patients “What is this?” They ask during a post operative examination and they are usually pointing just below their inframammary crease of their breast. And what they point to is one or more cord like structures that run vertically down from their breasts. The patient may also comment on the fact that the area is somewhat sensitive.

This picture shows a patient who has Mondor’s disease. The patient had her breast augmentation approximately 2 weeks earlier.

After examining the patient, Dr. Moss usually comments, “What you have is Mondor’s disease.” While this sounds serious and ominous, Mondor’s disease, when associated with breast augmentation is usually self limiting and resolves on it own. “So what exactly is Mondor’s disease?” many patients ask. Dr. Moss will respond that “Mondor’s disease is a benign condition. Most patients,” he continues, “present with inflammation or thrombphlebitis of the veins in the breast area, usually just below the inframammary crease when it is associated with breast augmentation surgery. At first the vein or veins are tender and then they become asymptomatic and ultimately disappear.” It should be noted that these cord like structures are more evident when a patient lifts her breast upward or applies traction to the area. In fact, it is not uncommon for Dr. Moss to notice the visual symptoms of Mondor’s disease when he examines a breast augmentation patient and realize that the patient has felt nothing and is unaware that she has Mondor’s Disease. Dr. Moss always reassures patients that they need not worry and the situation will resolve on its own. “My wife, Carla had it when she had breast augmentation surgery and it resolved on its own with no problem,” he further elaborates.